Mystery shopping jobs are everywhere! But, they often get lumped in with other work at home jobs even though it isn't technically work at home.
This is probably because the work is flexible and independent. This is typical of many work at home jobs overall.
Still, you may find that you don't really have time to go out and mystery shop no matter how flexible the hours are.
Or perhaps the only locations available are miles away. The answer to this problem may be working as a telephone or online mystery shopper!
Can you do phone mystery shopping with background noise?
Background-noise rules depend on the company and the assignment. For recorded calls, both sides of the conversation need to be easy to hear.
Follow the instructions for each shop, and make calls in a quiet spot when the company requires it.
Where to Find Phone and Online Mystery Shopping
These companies offer phone or online mystery shops. Some also have in-person work, so the details below focus on shops you can finish from home.
Pay and the number of shops vary. Signing up doesn't guarantee a steady supply of remote shops, and legitimate mystery shopping companies don't charge you to join.
Read more about mystery shopping scams to avoid.
1 – ARC
ARC pays independent contractors to call businesses and report on the service they receive. This is phone mystery shopping, and you can choose from the assignments offered to you. Some calls can be made in the evening or on weekends.
You don't need experience, and there's no fee to sign up. You do need a computer, internet access, email, and a phone with good service.
Pay is listed with each assignment. ARC says it pays through PayPal by the fifth business day of the following month for accepted work.
2 – Perception Strategies
Perception Strategies focuses on healthcare mystery shopping. Phone assignments can involve calling a doctor's office to ask about appointments, prices, or the help a new patient would receive.
The company also does in-person shops, but its phone calls can be done from home. There is a shopper application on its website.
There isn't a current phone-shop pay rate listed on the application page. The work you receive will depend on the company's projects and shopper needs. This is another option for extra money if you are comfortable making calls about healthcare services.
Go here to apply with Perception Strategies.
Read my Perception Strategies review.
3 – Shoppers' View
Shoppers' View offers telephone mystery shopping you can do from home in the United States and Canada. You don't need previous mystery shopping experience, and signing up is free.
It's owned by Reality Based Group, but it has a separate shopper signup and job board. You'll work as an independent contractor, with pay depending on the assignment.
Payments come through PayPal and may show up under the RBG name. Longtime shoppers have reported completing hundreds of assignments without problems, which is encouraging if you're just getting started.
Go here to sign up with Shoppers' View.
4 – Shoppers Confidential
Shoppers Confidential has phone and website evaluations in the United States and Canada. This gives you an option for online mystery shopping as well as calls.
You don't need experience to join, and there is no signup fee. Assignments depend on your location and profile, and the amount you'll earn is shown before you accept the work.
The company pays through PayPal, with payments processed twice a month. Shoppers have recommended it for remote shops, although the number and type of assignments available will vary.
Go here to sign up with Shoppers Confidential.
5 – BARE International
BARE International offers several kinds of mystery shopping, including telephone calls and web-based inquiries. Its evaluator page has free registration options, and you can choose remote assignments when they are available.
Pay depends on the project, so there isn't one set rate for phone or online shops.
One caution here: some shoppers reported payment delays in 2026. Several later confirmed they had been paid. BARE is an established mystery shopping company, but those recent delays are something to keep in mind if you need the money by a certain date.
Go here to sign up with BARE International.
6 – Confero
Confero offers both telephone and online website mystery shops. Its shopper page is open to people in the United States who are at least 18 years old.
You will work as an independent contractor, and you need an internet-connected device to get assignments and turn in your reports. Pay is agreed on before you complete a shop.
Shoppers have recommended Confero for remote work. Some reported late payments and poor communication in early 2025, then confirmed payment had arrived.
Go here to sign up with Confero.
7 – IntelliShop
IntelliShop offers phone calls and online inquiries along with its in-person mystery shops. Its CustomerOptix service uses the same shopper account, so you don't need to treat it as a separate company.
Pay varies by assignment. IntelliShop says it pays through PayPal on the 20th of the month after you complete your shop.
Experienced shoppers report doing many phone assignments here. But some have said low-paying calls took longer than expected because of hold times and repeat attempts. A small fee can add up slowly if each call takes a lot of time.
Go here to sign up with IntelliShop.
8 – Advanced Feedback
Advanced Feedback offers phone and online evaluations, with free signup through ShopMetrics or GigSpot. You may need to pass a certification for the type of shop you want to do.
Phone assignments use the company's calling system, and some require more than one attempt. Shoppers have praised the staff and payment record, while also saying that reports can require detailed written answers.
The company says payments usually arrive through PayPal or Venmo within two to three weeks. Its agreement allows up to 60 days, so you shouldn't count on a quick payout here.
Go here to sign up with Advanced Feedback.
9 – Intouch Insight
Intouch Insight has phone and online mystery shopping along with its in-person assignments. Shoppers have reported completing phone shops for the company, so there are options that don't require a visit.
Its registration page explains how to join through iSecretShop or SASSIE. Pay depends on the project, and remote work will depend on which assignments are available to you.
Intouch pays shoppers through PayPal on a twice-monthly schedule. This is another company to add to your list if you'd like access to phone and online shops from more than one source.
Go here to sign up with Intouch Insight.
10 – Reality Based Group
Reality Based Group, also called RBG, offers phone and online mystery shopping in addition to visits. Its shopper page has registration links for people in the United States and Canada.
Shoppers have reported doing dealership phone calls through RBG. The businesses and assignments can change, so that is one example of its remote work.
Pay varies by shop, and payment is generally made the following month. You'll need to keep your shopper profile and required payment information complete.
Go here to sign up with Reality Based Group.
11 – ath Power Consulting
ath Power Consulting, also called APC, has phone and digital mystery shops. Shoppers have reported calling banks and credit card companies, and the company accepts shoppers age 18 and older.
For work you can do from home, stick with phone or online inquiries. Some financial projects require an existing account or opening a new one, so those involve more than a simple mystery shopping call.
Workers have praised the pay and clear instructions, though some mention limits on repeat shops and trouble reaching a scheduler. Pay varies, with payments handled through Checkbook.io.
Go here to sign up with ath Power Consulting.
12 – Ipsos
Ipsos offers phone and online mystery shopping you can do from home. Online assignments can include sending an inquiry, using live chat, or finding information on a business's website.
You must be at least 18, and the US shopper page lists a smartphone, internet access, and PayPal among its requirements. The fee is listed with the assignment.
Shoppers have reported real phone assignments here, but some jobs require certification tests first. There have also been complaints about report reviews and payment holds, so allow time for the work to be approved.
Go here to sign up with Ipsos.
13 – 360 Relay
360 Relay offers phone and web mystery shopping in the United States and Canada.
Pay depends on the assignment and is sent through PayPal.
Go here to sign up with 360 Relay.
14 – White Clay
White Clay offers phone mystery shopping. Its registration page explains how to create a shopper account.
Workers have praised helpful schedulers and reliable payment. The main limits mentioned are a small supply of assignments and rules about how often you can shop the same business.
Pay varies by shop. White Clay says payment generally arrives through PayPal 30 to 60 days after a shop is finalized.
Go here to sign up with White Clay.
Will you earn a full-time income as a telephone mystery shopper?
You must view it as extra money to start because the work flow with mystery shopping is never consistent enough for most people to rely on full-time.
Read my post on how much mystery shoppers make for pay examples.
The companies listed above are the ones I am most familiar with, but I know there are other companies that also have phone shops available.
If you're registered with any other places for mystery shopping outside the home, check to see if they have phone shops too. Many, many companies offer both kinds of shops.
Get My Mystery Shopping Guide
If you're new to mystery shopping, my Mystery Shopping Guide explains how it works, how payments and reimbursements work, and how to avoid scams.
It includes 50+ company links, a separate list of telephone shops, and tips for completing shops and writing clear reports.
The guide covers both remote and in-person shopping!
👉 Get my Mystery Shopping Guide here.
Anna Thurman is a work at home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 15 years. Her findings are published weekly here at Real Ways to Earn.
Good Afternoon, is it possible to work as a telephone mystery shopper from Africa??
Hi, I’m not sure if all of these companies are open to Africa, but you can apply and see if you would qualify. Good luck!
Shopper’s View does a lot of phone shops. I’ve done about 10 with them so far, and they’ve paid $2 each. I even ran across a few $5 phone shops. They pay with paypal and it’s one of the few mystery shopping companies that don’t require your social security number to be paid. They are verified with MSPA, too.
Thanks for letting me know! I’ll probably write about them soon!
Hi Anna,
Shoppers Critique is a mystery shopping company that offers a large amount of phone shops. They appear to always have jobs available. You do have to follow the clients’ directions exactly or your shop will be rejected.
Thanks Kim, I will check them out!
Another one to add to the list is ARC Consulting. I’m starting with them on Monday doing my first seven phone mystery shopping calls. I know someone who works for them, so it comes recommended. It’s a small company and there’s not a ton of work to make a full-time income, but it’s a good way to get into the business and learn it and make a little money. Don’t be dismayed if you don’t hear back for a few months or longer because she hires as needed. Visit here: http://arllc.com. I will definitely be checking out the ones listed in the article above. Ironically, based on a tip from a friend, I was just reading up on the rent survey one again today. I’d looked into it in December, but didn’t go through with it then, but I may now.
Thanks Victoria! I will bookmark ARC Consulting and maybe do a review on it later when I can find some info.